You held the promise of life First one, then finally fourThe parents were so proudKeeping vigil round the clockMother robin rocked the eggs lovinglyThey loved the beautiful blue eggsRobin blue, a color like no otherTheir “cheery cheery cheery” calls filled my homeThen suddenly an eerie silenceThe eggs were gone without traceOh nest, only you know the tragic secretI cried with the parents that dayMy cheery friends, I felt the painBut take heart, build another nest Away from preying beaks and marauding clawsWish I could see next spring with youBut I will be gone soon leaving my nest empty tooBut perhaps you could come back next yearAnd be “cheery cheery cheery” to the new tenantsBring up a new brood of fledglings and watch them growAnd life will be cheerful once more

Author Bio:Swati Rawal is a dentist by profession who loves the arts and nature. She is an avid photographer and writes poetry and short stories. She was born and raised in India and then relocated to Trinidad and Tobago. She currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband, two boys, and two canine children.